Given Limb Foundation grant supports USA Paratriathlon Military Program

USA Paratriathlon, a division of USA Triathlon, has been awarded more than US$45,000 from the Given Limb Foundation to continue the paratriathlon military veterans program at Brooke Army Medical Center as part of the 2016 USA Paratriathlon Military Program.

The grant award, which totals US$45,800 for 2016, funds the program, which will run from March to August, culminating in participation in the USA Paratriathlon National Championships in Santa Cruz, California, on 14 August.

Camp participants will also compete in three races in Texas leading up to the National Championships event. A kick-off clinic is scheduled for 27 February at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), allowing 10 interested veterans to learn more about the program and meet with a triathlon coach.

This is the third consecutive year USA Paratriathlon has received funding from the Given Limb Foundation to grow its military veterans program. The Given Limb Foundation has awarded USA Paratriathlon more than US$150,000 to date, with programs held previously at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in addition to BAMC.

“We are pleased to have the support of the Given Limb Foundation once again in 2016 as we introduce paratriathlon to more military veterans,” said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Paratriathlon Program Manager.

“With the success of our Brooke Army Medical Center long-term training program in 2015, we are excited to extend and expand this program to include even more injured service members. These athletes may one day represent the US at a Paralympic Games, and this grant allows us to provide resources to help make the sport a reality for those who have served our country.”

The six-month program utilizes swimming, cycling and running programs already in place at BAMC, while connecting the 10 veterans to a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and a local USA Triathlon club. Past participants in the program will also serve as mentors to veterans who are taking part in the program.

USA Triathlon notes that interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high, and the sport continues to grow leading up to its debut at the Paralympic Games this September in Rio de Janeiro.